TSR 2/13/20 CBB Picks

THURSDAY’S GAMES

1. Cincinnati vs Memphis (7:00, ESPN)

Nick: Cincinnati- The Tigers are in free fall, and UC is focused again with #FickellWatch officially ended, since the Spartans got their man. The Bearcats are 15-8, and they need this game to make a statement on their resume.

Sam: Cincicinnati-- Memphis lost t home to USF..

Zach: Cincinnati 

2. UCF vs Wichita State (7:00, ESPN2)

Nick: Wichita State- The Shockers have lost three straight games, damaging what was a shiny 17-3 record. Regardless, Johnny Dawkins’ bunch is not nearly the same team it was last year with Tacko Fall, and as a result they cannot keep up with the Shockers.

Sam: Wichita State-- I miss Tacko Fall

Zach: Wichita State

3. Indiana vs Iowa (8:00, BTN)

Nick: Indiana- The Hoosiers have lost four in a row, and that has put their at-large candidacy in jeopardy. This is a must-win game for them, especially on their home turf. The biggest question will be whether they can limit Luka Garza, as they match up well at the other four positions.

Sam: Iowa-- Indiana has played awful since beating MSU, and I don’t see them stopping Luka

Zach: Indiana- Big game at Assembly Hall for the Hoosiers, and they find a way to get it done in a must win game

4. Oregon vs Colorado (9:00, ESPN)

Nick: Oregon- This is the best game of the Pac 12 season thus far, as the two teams are battling it out for first place in the conference, with the Ducks a game behind. With the angry internet Buffaloes fired up about Mel Tucker leaving for greener pastures, the team isn’t focused. Payton Pritchard secures the Pac12 POTY award with a stellar performance.

Sam: Oregon

Zach: Oregon- Payton Pritchard is the best player in the Pac12 and he proves once again why

5. USC vs Washington (9:00, ESPN2)

Nick: USC- Is Washington the most disappointing team west of the Mississippi this year? This team had six first place votes and was the preseason third in the Pac12 poll. They sit at 2-9 in league play and 12-12 overall...

Sam: USC-- Two teams really struggling, I love Okwongu  down low

Zach: USC- USC basketball is slowly starting to make a name for themselves again, and hopefully they can keep Okongwu around for a couple of years

6. Oregon State vs Utah (9:00, PAC12)

Nick: Oregon State- When in doubt, take Tres Tinkle at home against an inconsistent Utes team.

Sam: Oregon State

Zach: Oregon State

7. California vs Arizona (10:30, FS1)

Nick: Arizona- The Wildcats are 2-4 on the road this season, but Cal is hardly a difficult road environment. To be honest, most of the Pac 12 is rather lackluster when it comes to crowds...

Sam: Arizona

Zach: Arizona

8. Stanford vs Arizona State (11:00, ESPN2)

Nick: Stanford- This team has lost five of six games, but they are 12-2 at home. One of these two has to give, and maybe it’s my Big Ten home team bias, but I think that the losing stops.

Sam: Stanford

Zach: Stanford

9. UCLA vs Washington State (11:00, PAC12)

Nick: UCLA- I don’t really believe in Mick Cronin, but then again, UCLA isn’t some elite job that it was 50 years ago. I would like to comment that Washington State also lost Mike Leach this season to Mississippi State, and it just shows that the Pac12 really is an inferior league when you lose coaches that often in the league.

Sam: UCLA

Zach: UCLA

10. Loyola Marymount vs BYU (11:00, ESPNU)

Nick: BYU- The Cougars are an NCAA Tournament team. They just need to avoid the bad losses, and perhaps they will score an upset against St. Mary’s or Gonzaga along the way?

Sam: BYU

Zach: BYU